Jessica Summer, left, with gala chair Donna Askam and her husband, Doug, a member of the Douglas County Partners board of directors. Photo: Provided by Douglas County Partners

Adding Color to Young Lives was the theme for the 2012 Partners for Youth Gala. It was held at Palazzo Verdi in Greenwood Village and netted $101,000 for the mentoring programs of Douglas County & Metro Denver Partners and its Gang Rescue & Support Project (GRASP).

Steve Hardardt, senior vice president at tw telecom and a Partners board member, emceed the event chaired by Donna Askam. Her husband, Doug, serves on the Douglas County Partners board.

Following a silent auction social and dinner, the 200 guests listened as one of the organization’s mentors shared a personal experience that illustrated the “immense value” mentoring has on changing a child’s future. They also learned more about GRASP and its gang rescue and intervention efforts. Both the director of GRASP and an outreach staff person speak from experience: each of them is a former gang member.

Colorado Fashion Week is underway for the second time and is a new venue for fall 2012: the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. The event features shows and entertainment nightly through Saturday, 7-9 p.m., presented by Justice Kwesi Kwarteng and JTA Group. Student designers, emerging designers and established retailers or brands are showcased each evening, as well as a different beneficiary and entertainment.